Recap: Blake has a reputation as a strong second-half team, but players don’t consider it a compliment. Seeking to prove they can start fast, the Bears scored twice in the first half and held Totino-Grace scoreless in Monday’s first Class 1A girls’ soccer semifinal at the Metrodome.

“We showed that we are a full-game team,” said Bears senior Lydia Sutton, a member of the Star Tribune All-Metro first team.

Goals from Sutton (second minute) and Lauren Kelly (30th) sent the Bears to the title game for the fourth time in five seasons. They won the title in 2011 and were runner-up last year.

Quote: “One of the sayings we have right when we exit the locker room is, ‘Work hard, have fun, kick butt.’ That’s something we really strive to do.” — Sutton

One thing to know: Blake’s state championship game against Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Thursday will be the third consecutive title-game meeting for the metro-area private schools. Blake won 1-0 in 2011 and the Red Knights got revenge with a 3-2 overtime victory last year.

DAVID La VAQUE